Office Design Leader

Office Design Leader

HKS San Diego is seeking an Office Design Leader to join our team. Responsible for advancing Design Excellence in the respective office. Must ensure, and participate in, critical design dialog across all project teams within the office and evaluate the quality of office work against the strategic plan. The Office Design Leader often leads or participates in multiple projects concurrently. The role focuses on growing design leadership skills related to relationship-building, collaboration and interpersonal skills while working on great projects for exceptional clients.

Accountable for:

• Design quality for every project in their office
• Implementation of Design Excellence within their office, ensuring the Framework for Design Excellence is addressed in every project in their office
• Collaboration with project teams by guiding, advising and mentoring other designers, developing design concepts and direction, and leading critiques
• Collaboration with Regional and Practice Design Leadership as well as Chief Design Officer to ensure a constant focus on design quality
• Partnership with Studio Design Leaders in their office to build a design culture

Has authority to:

• See, evaluate, and provide feedback to all projects in the office
• Challenge project vision, guiding principles, narratives and solutions to ensure design quality
• Recommend to the Chief Design Officer, Practice Design Director and Regional Design Director a project that should be redirected as it is not performing to the level that HKS requires
• Participate in and influence selection and performance evaluation for designers within the office

Supports all project design leaders and project teams within the office and evaluates the quality of office work against the strategic plan, in collaboration with office and office leadership

Holds all designers in their office accountable for design quality in each of their studios

Participates in quarterly Regional Design Summits and/or Practice Design Summits to review work within the region in the spirit of continuous improvement

Collaborates in strategic planning and facilitates communication for specific practice with other leaders, as well as vetting office marketing strategy and allocating needed resources

Ensures project teams develop measures that can be evaluated during all stages of the project for the design enterprise standards of integration, innovation and impact

Collaborates on projects assigned to respective office by focusing on the project process, development of the vision and goals, service/delivery, work environment and project documentation

Collaborates with leaders such as Project Manager, Studio Practice Leader and Regional Design Director to lead the team through all phases by guiding, advising and mentoring other designers on project work, developing design direction and leading critiques

May act as a primary interface with clients for respective office, building and strengthening connections through a comprehensive understanding of their mission, goals, policies, needs and progress

Manages client expectations, team communication and consultant coordination for respective office in collaboration with project team leadership

Serves as a design resource for the office, assisting in the resolution of complex problems, and helping them grow in their roles

Reviews concept development and, in collaboration with Studio Practice Leader and Regional Design Director, provides leadership, inspiration and motivation to the design team to create the highest quality design documentation and to achieve client satisfaction

Emphasizes and incorporates HKS strategic priorities, such as Design Measures into client solutions

Operates with "ONE Firm" mindset, minimizes the sector and operational variables within the office in collaboration with Regional Design Director

Integrates HKS services, expertise, and innovation in all projects, while actively seeking opportunities to incorporate HKS best practices, sustainable design solutions, subject matter expertise and resources strategically and efficiently for the client, user and community

Exercises skills of persuasion and negotiation on critical issues

Qualifications:

• Accredited professional degree in Architecture, Interior Design, related degree for respective field, or relevant years in education or experience
• Licensure or certification in chosen field preferred
• Typically, 15+ years of experience, including experience in a leadership role with demonstrated success in both project work and talent/resource development
• Significant experience in the practice area
• Sustainable design accreditation preferred
• Familiarity in the capability and benefits of design-related software preferred
• Familiarity in the functionality of Vision
• Experience in MS Office Suite, including Microsoft Project and Microsoft Teams preferred
• Proficiency in logistics management including connecting people and resources to the right place at the right time
• Successful track record in directing and providing leadership for design teams from business development presentations through developing strategy and design concepts
• Successful track record in success building, nurturing and fostering new client relationships
• Excellent presentation skills
• Strong leadership, organization, communication and relationship management skills
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to work on multiple projects at the same time
• Ability to work closely with design leaders to promote an inter-disciplinary design approach and philosophy, and to facilitate its advancement across the firm
• Ability to manage team with diplomatic and collaborative leadership style which puts value on relationships and collaboration, both internal and external
• Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and professional manner both verbally and in writing
• Ability to problem solve and apply innovative solutions
• Ability to collaborate and encourage collaboration in a team environment
• Ability to effectively meet deadlines at expected quality
• Travel will be required.

Base Salary Range: $138k - 175k annually – applies to San Diego locations only

The estimate displayed represents the general base salary range of candidates hired at the San Diego locations only. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range based on the location of the role. Factors that may be used to determine your actual salary may include internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.

HKS offers a comprehensive total compensation & benefits package with health, dental, and vision care coverage, 401(k) plans, life & AD&D insurance, short/long term disability plans, paid days off (sick leave, parental leave, vacation), and much more for benefits-eligible employees.

If you currently work for HKS, please submit your application via the Internal Careers Portal.

HKS is an EEO/AA Employer: M/F/Disabled/Veteran